Changes in the use of color in Japanese cities

Abstract

This study examines how the use of color in the Japanese urban landscape has changed over time and what the future holds. The colors of contemporary Japanese cities are not beautiful, but it is said that they were harmonious and beautiful in the Edo period (1603–1868). In the 1850s, as the country opened up to the outside world, Western-style architecture was introduced and emerged side by side with Japanese architecture. As economic growth took precedence in the 20th century, there was a lack of awareness of the city's public ownership and the appearance of buildings. The attempt to achieve industrial standards and rapid urbanization were also cited as reasons for the absence of harmony in the built environment. Additionally, many outdoor advertisements appeared. The lack of effective regulations on outdoor advertising is one factor that has heavily affected the contemporary Japanese cityscape. The “Landscape Act,” which went into effect in 2004, aims to regulate landscape color use in present-day Japan. This law allows local governments to enact regulations for urban landscape color use primarily by setting the upper limit for color saturation in terms of Munsell Chroma. It is questionable whether this will really lead to the creation of more unique cityscapes. Training in color in architecture, urban objects, and infrastructure should be compulsory as part of civic education, and more time should be devoted to the subject of color in architects' educational programs to create beautiful cities in the future. Students of architecture need time to think about the idea that the exterior of a building is part of the urban landscape, to consider the importance of color, and to study color harmony.